Polysomnographic Technologist

Lifepoint Health • Johnstown, PA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center is part of Lifepoint Health, a diversified healthcare delivery network with facilities coast to coast. We are driven by a profound commitment to prioritize your well-being so you can provide exceptional care to others. As a Polysomnographic Technologist joining our team, you’re embracing a vital mission dedicated to making communities healthier®. Join us on this meaningful journey where your skills, compassion and dedication will make a remarkable difference in the lives of those we serve. A collaborative environment where growth and learning are encouraged with a strong focus on providing great patient experience and improving the sleep health of our patients. We offer a flexible schedule that allows technologists the ability to balance work and home.

Requirements

• Successful completion of an accredited educational program leading to a certificate or associate degree with an emphasis in sleep technology OR Successful completion of a sleep technology program associated with a state licensed and/or a nationally accredited educational facility or equivalent experience and documented proficiency for all competencies required of a sleep technologist OR Allied health professional with the understanding that a sleep credential will be completed within 12 months from date of hire.
• At least one year experience working with overnight sleep studies; scoring and reviewing of records; knowledge in use of CPAP/BIPAP devices, oxygen administration and application.
• Certification by a nationally recognized certification board and holds one of the following: Registered Polysomnography Technologist (RPSGT), Registered Sleep Technologist (RST) or Sleep Disorders Specialist (SDS) or must be obtained within 12 months from date of hire.
• CPR/BLS certification.

Responsibilities

• Collect, analyze, and integrate patient information in order to identify and meet the patient-specific needs (physical/mental limitations, current emotional/physiological status regarding the testing procedure, pertinent medical/social history).
• Determine final testing parameters/procedures in conjunction with the ordering physician, medical director, or clinical coordinator and laboratory protocols.
• Review the patient’s history and verify the medical order.
• Follow Sleep Center protocols.
• When the patient arrives, verify identification, and orders for testing.
• Explain the procedure and orient the patient for testing.
• Select appropriate equipment and perform calibration of testing equipment to determine proper functioning and make adjustments, if necessary.
• Apply electrodes and sensors according to accepted published standards.
• Perform routine positive airway pressure (PAP) interface fitting and desensitization.
• Follow procedural protocols [such as Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT), parasomnia studies, home sleep studies, PAP and oxygen titration, etc.] to ensure collection of appropriate data.
• Perform appropriate physiological calibrations to ensure proper signals and make required adjustments.
• Follow “lights out” procedures to establish and document baseline values (such as body position, oxyhemoglobin saturation, respiratory and heart rates, etc.).
• Perform data acquisition while monitoring study-tracing quality to ensure signals are artifact-free. Identify, correct and document artifact.
• Document routine observations, including sleep stages and clinical events, changes in procedure, and other significant events in order to facilitate scoring and interpretation of Polysomnographic results.
• Implement appropriate interventions (including actions necessary for patient safety and therapeutic intervention such as positive airway pressure, oxygen administration, etc.).
• Follow “lights on” procedures to verify integrity of collected data and complete the data collection process (e.g. repeat the physiological and instrument calibrations and instruct the patient on completing questionnaires, checking for completeness, etc.).
• Score sleep/wake stages by applying professionally accepted guidelines.
• Score clinical events (such as respiratory events, cardiac events, limb movements, arousals, etc.) utilizing AASM standards.
• Generate accurate reports by tabulating sleep/wake and clinical event data.
• Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize and provide age specific care in the treatment assessment, and education of pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric patients.
• Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to perform portable monitoring equipment preparation and data download.
• Perform patient education and instruction appropriate for out of center sleep testing.
• Demonstrate adherence to cleaning and disinfection procedures.
• Demonstrate adherence to AASM scoring parameters for out of center and attended studies; identify artifact, inadequate signals and study failures and generate an accurate report.
• Comply with applicable laws, regulations, guidelines and standards regarding safety and infection control issues.
• Perform routine equipment care and maintenance and inventory evaluation.
• Maintain current CPR/BLS certification.
• Demonstrate computer skills appropriate for the position.
• Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrate appropriate social skills.
• Demonstrate appropriate customer service skills.
• Demonstrate critical thinking and ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrate teamwork skills.
• Follow HIPAA policies to maintain the privacy and security of patient information.
• Demonstrate ability to follow direction.
• Respond to sleep patients’ procedural-related inquiries by providing appropriate information.
• Adhere to sleep disorders center policies for quality assurance.
• Evaluate sleep study related equipment and inventory.
• Review and evaluate sleep studies and provide feedback to other staff members.
• Demonstrate the ability to analyze complex situations and apply policy.
• Comply with professional standard of conduct.
• Assist medical director and /or manager in all aspects of sleep center operations.

Benefits

• 401(k) retirement package and company match
• Mental, physical, and financial wellness programs (free gym memberships, virtual care appointments, mental health services and discount programs)
• Ongoing learning and career advancement opportunities

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree